NORTH ISLAND OYSTERBEDS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2928, 27 April 1910, Page 31

NORTH ISLAND OYSTERBEDS.

A YEAR'S RECUPERATION. (Fbom: Otib Own Cobrespondent.)

AUCKLAND, April 24.

The news that no oysters are to be picked trom the North Island beds this season has created mild consternation it: Auckland amongst lovers of the bivalve. The Collector of Customs (Mr Ridings) has received the following instructions from the Marine Department :—'' Mr Ayson's inspection shows that the oyster beds have not sufficiently recovered from tho depletion caused by private licensed pickers before the department undertook to justify their being again opened tor picking this year. Investigation shows that there are not sufficient mature oysters for the season on the beds picked bv the department during the last two - irs. "1 * l 'o beds are in good condi,,a,rdi; young oysters, and after j ear will no doubt meet the demands de every year. Under the circumi ■ inces, it has been decided that no ovsters shall be picked in the North Island this year." " The instructions are plain enough," said Mr Ridings, when speaking to a Star reporter this morning, " and there will not be the usual opening of tne season on May 1. Instead, a close season will be observed for the next twelve months, and a very strict watch will be maintained to see that no poaching goes on. Where we can catch anyone picking oysters we will press for the very heaviest penalty that the law allows. Under the system of depai'tmental control we are getting the Auckland oyster beds into a very good condition, and the young oysters are coming on splendidly. The department is now busy planting fresh oyster beds down CoTomandel way in the vicinity of Te Konua and Manaia. Some fourteen scow loads of rocks on which young oysters are growing have been taken from the Waiheke and other beds within the Gulf, and planted at the two places named, under the direction of Mr Ayson (chief inspector) and Mr Bennett (local inspector of fisheries). Notices have been posted cautioning people that these new beds must not be touched, and any poaching will be heavily punished. The picking which has gone on during the last few years," Mr Ridings adds, " has led to a depletion of the more mature oysters, and there has not been the amount of spatting required. By closing down this season, the Collector of Customs thinks the Auckland oyster beds will be in such an excellent state that a supply will be guaranteed for years to come. Auckland will therefore have to depend chiefly on Bluff and Stewart Island oysters this season. None of the beds in the Hauraki. Gulf or Bay of Islands will be touched, and the only island where picking can be carried on is Kawau, which does not come within the jurisdiction of the Marine Department, as a result of Sir George Grey having secured ownership rights to low water mark.